Semaphore or gate



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J w. STEELE SEMAPHORE OR GATE. No. 443,732. I Patented Dec. 30, 1890,

(No Model.) 3 SheetsSheet 2. J. W. STEELE.

SEMAPHORE 0E GATE. No. 443,732. v Patented Dec. 80, 1890.

(No Model.)

. 3 Sheets-Sheet 3. J. W. STEELE. SEMAPHORE 0R GATE. No. 448,732.

, Patented Dec. 30, 1890.

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" UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES lVsTEELE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SEMAPHORE OR GATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 443,732, dated December 30, 1890.

Application filed September 6 1890. Serial No. 364,188. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES \V. STEELE, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Semaphores or' Gates, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which Figure l is a side View showing the frame of a railway-gate, the casing being removed to show the operating mechanism. Fig. 2 is a View of the same, taken in a plane at right angles thereto. Fig. 3 is a like View to that shown in Fig. 1, representing the parts in reverse positions, respectively. Fig. 4 is a detail view of a portion of the operating mechanism shown in a reverse position from that illustrated in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional View taken upon the line a; 50, Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a side View of a modification of said invention, the same being applied to a semaphore, in which the case is shown in section to display the working parts. Fig. 7 is a detail view showing the semaphore and its support, taken in a plane at right angles to that indicated in Fig. 6; and Fig. 8 is a detail View representing a modified form of electrical releasing device.

Corresponding letters of reference in the different figures designate like parts.

The primary object of my invention is to operate a semaphore or gate by means of a single impulse and to lock the same automatically in one or another position Whenever the same is reached by said gate or semaphore.

A further object is to provide means for actuating said gate or semaphore in a given direction, by hand or otherwise, and automatically to reverse its position by means of an electric releasing-trigger, the electric circuit with which may be closed by means of a passing train. l\Ioreover,I desire to provide novel means for cushioning the moving arm of the semaphore or gate upon reaching its limit of movement and when acted upon by the locking device, allof which is hereinafter more specifically set forth and definitely claimed.

Referring to the drawings, a represents a ening said joint.

hollow standard or case, preferably made of cast metal, near the top of which, mounted in suitable bearings, is a shaft b, to which is rigidly attached a counterpoise-arm 0, adapted to move in the manner clearly indicated in Fig. 3, and which may be employed as a gate; or by elevating it, as shown in Fig. 6, and connecting it, as hereinafter stated, it may be used as a semaphore.

Loosely pivoted to the support a, preferably at a, is a bar cl, the lower end of which is adapted to swing back and forth. Loosely pivoted to the bar d at d are two bars or links 6 e, the lower ends of which are attached to lever-arms ff, whose outer ends are pivoted to the frame at f f while to the inner or movable ends are attached spiral springs g g, which are in turn connected by means of rods g g to a cross-bar g pivotally attached to the bar d near its upper end. The ends of said cross-bar are in turn connected by means of links h h to a like cross-bar h, rigidly attached to the shaft 1). A crank-arm j is also attached to the shaft 1), and is loosely connected at its end with a toggle brace or stop consisting of the members kit, loosely jointed to an intermediate member k which is extended at right angles therefrom for the purpose of receiving a pin 75', around which is bent a spring M, for the purpose of straight The member 70 is pivoted at Z to an arm Z, and is provided with a lateral arm m, having a pin art upon the end, adapted to engage with flanges a 07. upon an arm 01, attached to the bar e and projecting obliquely therefrom. The barl is pivoted at Z to the frame, and upon the opposite end is preferably formed a lug Z through which is loosely passed a curved rod 0, Figs. 1 and 3, the ends of which are looselysecured to lugs 0' 0', attached to the frame. Interposed between the lug Z and the lugs 0' oare spiral springs o 0 which serve to hold the bar Z in a normally horizontal position, but to permit a slight movement of its end.

The bar cl is normally held in the position shown in Fig. 1, preferably by means of a spring 19, which is attached by a link or otherwise to the lower end of said bar, as shown.

The bar 61 may be moved in an opposite direction by means of a rod 19' and lever 19 as shown in Fig. 2:3, or otherwise. A bar (1, pivoted to the frame at q, is pressed against a friction-roller (Z loosely mounted upon the bar (1 near its lower end by means of a spring q. A depression in the bar 1 serves to engage said roller and hold bar (Z in an abnormal position, as shown in Fig. 6, so long as the bar is pressed against it with sutiicient force, which may be accomplished by means of a latch r, loosely pivoted to the frame and provided with a notch therein for the reception of the end of said bar. An electro-magnets, Figs. 3 and (i, is placed in operative proximity to said latch, which forms an armature therefor, and one of the terminals of said magnet is connected by means of a wire .9 with a contact-point .5 secured to but insulated from a railway-rail i. The other terminal is connected by means of a wire 5*, in which a battery .9" is interposed, with a tripping device 11, pivoted to said rail and provided with a contact-point in operative proximity to point s but normally separated from it by means of a rubber or other spring *L. Upon the passage of a train the tripper *u is depressed by the car-wheel, thereby closing the circuit and moving the armature '2', thus releasing the bar g, which permits the bar (Z to assume its normal position.

A form of electrical releasing device which is preferred to that last described is shown in Figsl and S. A red q is extended upwardly from the end of the bar q, and is passed loosely through a flat plate to, which is pivoted at it", and the oscillation of which is limited by means of stops IE2, the lower one of which is so placed as to permit the plate to fall to an oblique position with reference to the rod, thereby clamping the latter and pre-' venting its descent, while the rod may be pushed upwardly therein with the utmost freedom. The plate 10 is either made of soft iron, or an armature 2( is attached thereto, in proximity to which is placed an electromagnet y, connected with the tripper u in the manner described. Upon the depression of the tripper the magnet draws the plate to a horizontal position, as shown in dotted lines, thereby releasing the rod q and permitting the bar d to assume its normal position.

In Figs. 6 and 7 I have shown a modification of said invention as applied to a semaphore, which, being the equivalent of the gate 0, I have designated by the same letter. As it is desirable to constructa semaphore much lighter than a gate, I have pivoted the same upon the top of a post (4, attached sprocketwheels 0 c to the axis of the semaphore and to the shaft '0, respectively, and have connected said wheels by means of a chain 0 Thus the rotation of the shaft 0 serves to move the semaphore-arm in the same way as if it were attached to said shaft.

Having thus described the mechanism involved in my invention, I will describe its operation.

'When the bar (.2 is in its normal position, (see Fig. 1,) the springs g g are under substantially equal tension and the gate 0 stands vertically. It should be borne in mind that the power required to move the bar (Zback and forth, however rapidly, is but nominal, while that required to move the gate with equal rapidity would be considerable. Hence I have interposed the springs g g to overcome the inertia of the gate and move it with comparative slowness, while the bar d is vibrated suddenly. The two do not move synchronously, and, owing to the inertia of the gate, it is possible in practice to move the bar (Z back and forth to the full extent of its movement, if done with sufiicient speed, without actuating the gate at all; but if a stop is made long enough to overcome the inertia of the gate it is then moved with certainty. \Vhen said bar is moved to the extreme left, the spring g is suddenly expanded, as shown in Fig. 3, and tends to actuate the semaphore, as indicated by the arrow shown in said figure, the movement continuing until it assumes the position indicated in dotted lines. This much of my invent-ion is shown in my application, filed April 29,1890, Serial No. 34:9,928; but it is important automatically to lock said gate or semaphore either in a vertical or horizontal position when one or the other is reached and to so retain it until the bar (Z is again moved. To accomplish this result I have pivoted the lower end of the knee-joint mechanism at a point equally distant from the respective positions of the crank-pin of the arm j when the gate is raised and lowered. In swinging the bar (Z from left to right the pin m is brought into contact with the flange n, (see Fig. 1,) which is being moved laterally, pushes the arm on down, and bends the k nee-joint, as in Fig. 3, which shows the pin in the act of leaving the flange a. Upon the completion of the gate movement, which enables the crank j to assume the position shown in dotted lines, the knee-joint becomes straightened when the pin m is in operative proximity to the flange a. Upon a reverse movement of the bar (Z the action of the Iiangen serves to bend the joint and permit the gate or semaphore, as the case may be, to be reversed, the straightening of the knee'joint in each case serving to limit its movement. In order to cushion said gate in its movement, I provide the springs 0 This is especially desirable in gates; but for light semaphores the'construction shown in Fig. 6 may be employed. Upon the approach of a train the bar (1 may be moved by means of a lever 12 thus closing the gate. The train having passed to a suificient distance the wheels are brought into engagement with the tripper 21, which serves to Withdraw the armature r and release the bar (I, which is drawn to its normal position by means of the spring 1), thus opening the gate. By placing the tripper farther away and en1- IIO ploying it in connection with a semaphore it may be utilized as a distance-signal for the operation of railway-trains.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. In a semaphore or gate,the combination of the bar cl and its intermediate connections in operative connection with said semaphore or gate, a knee-joint brace having one end attached to a crank-arm of the gate and the other pivoted centrally between the two extreme points of movement of said crank, and means for temporarily bending said kneejoint with each vibration of the bar (Z, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a semaphore or gate, the combination of the bar d and the intermediate double toggle-joint mechanism, as specified, in operative connection with said semaphore or gate, a knee-joint brace having one end attached to a crank-arm of the gate and the other pivoted to a cross-bar at a central point between the two extreme points of movement of said crank, said cross-bar being pivoted to the frame at one end and attached to springs at the other, for holding it normally in a given position, and means for bending said kneej oint with each vibration of the bard, whereby said gate or semaphore may be automatically unlocked and locked in position with each vibration of the bar (I and the movement of the gate or semaphore cushioned at its extremity, substantially as shown and described.

The combination of the bar d, a spring for normally holding the same in a given position, pivoted and spring-actuated bar q in operative connection with said bar cl, means for temporarily locking said bar q when the bar at is in an abnormal position, and an electric releasing device in communication with a tripper connected with the railway-track, substantially as shown and described.

4. The combination, with a semaphore or gate, of aknee-joint-locking device held normally straight by means of a spring, a laterally-extended arm rigidly connected with one member of said knee-joint, and means for automatically tilting said arm in one or another direction preliminary to the shifting of the semaphore or gate, substantially as shown and described.

5. The combination, with the swinging bar d and its intermediate mechanism, as described, in operative connection with a crank-arm for operating a semaphore or gate, of a knee-jointlocking device held normally straight by a spring, one member of said device consisting of a bent arm, the free end of which is in operative proximity to a movable arm provided with obliquely-placed flanges thereon, one or the other of which is adjusted-to engage said bent arm alternately, and means, as described, for moving said flanged arm with each movement of the bar d, whereby said knee-joint may be automatically bent and the semaphore or gate unlocked simultaneously with the movement by which it is actuated, substantially as shown and described.

6. The combination, with a semaphore or gate pivotally mounted upon a shaft, of the crank-arm j, a double-actin g knee-joint-locking device for automatically locking the same in its extreme positions, a horizontal bar pivoted at one end to the frame, to which bar said knee-joint is in turn pivoted, and spring-buffers attached to the free end of said horizontal bar, Whereby'said semaphore or gate may be cushionedupon reaching the opposite limits of its movement, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specificatiomin the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 29th day of August, 1890.

JAMES V. STEELE.

, llitnesses:

D. H. FLETCHER, J. B. HALPENNY. 

